CAL SOUTH ALUMNUS JOE-MAX MOORE ELECTED TO THE NATIONAL SOCCER HALL OF FAME

April 3, 2013 (Chicago, IL) - Former U.S. Men’s National Team forwards Joe-Max Moore and Peter Vermes have been elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Moore is the sole Player representative, while Vermes enters the Hall of Fame as a representative from the Veteran ballot. None of the candidates in the Builder category received the required amount of votes to be elected into the Hall of Fame this year.

As a forward and midfielder who played for three U.S. World Cup teams, Moore enters the Hall of Fame in his second to last year of eligibility on the player ballot. Starting with the 1992 Olympics, Moore made 100 appearances for the Men’s National Team over the next decade, including three FIFA World Cups and his 24 goals rank fifth all-time in MNT history. He also spent six seasons in Major League Soccer – all with the New England Revolution – scoring 53
goals. [Cal South Editor's note: After moving to Southern California at the age of 14, Moore played for Mission Viejo High School and played club soccer in Cal South for three seasons with the North Huntington Beach Futbol Club.]

Moore scored plenty of big goals in big games for his country throughout his career, however, none bigger than his final two tallies. On Oct. 7, 2001 in Foxboro, Mass. Moore scored both goals in the crucial 2-1 World Cup clinching victory against Jamaica, spearheading the USA’s best World Cup run in history the following year.

The National Soccer Hall of Fame induction announcement comes as part of Centennial Week, as U.S. Soccer continues a year-long celebration honoring the history of the game. Centennial Week kicked off Tuesday with the ringing of the NYSE closing bell and continues Thursday with activities all day in Times Square. The week-long celebration will culminate on April 5, the exact date the U.S. Soccer charter was signed back in 1913, with a press conference at New York City Hall,
lighting of the Empire State Building and a watch party for the U.S. Women’s National Team at Nevada Smiths.

Joining Moore in the Hall of Fame from the Veteran ballot is current Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes. Vermes was an integral part of the U.S. Men’s National Team from 1988-97, making his debut in the ’88 Olympic Games. He scored 11 goals in his 66 career caps and helped the MNT qualify for its first FIFA World Cup in 40 years in 1990. Following the ’90 World Cup in Italy, Vermes captained the MNT for its championship run in the inaugural CONCACAF
Gold Cup in ’91.

Vermes also became the first American to play in the Hungarian and Dutch first divisions during his club career and starred in MLS from 1996-2002 for the New York MetroStars, Colorado Rapids and Kansas City Wizards.

“Soccer is the consummate team sport and being inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame is certainly indicative of that. It is humbling and a great honor” Vermes said. “I am appreciative and have learned so much from all of the teammates I have played with and now all the players I have been around from the youth level up on the technical side. My dedication and passion for soccer will never waver and I am so grateful for this recognition.”

The location and date for the 2013 National Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is still to be determined and will be announced at a later date.

The National Soccer Hall of Fame closed its Oneonta, N.Y., facility in 2010. The election process is being administered by U.S. Soccer Federation staff under election and eligibility guidelines established by the Hall of Fame board of directors.

Established in 1950, the National Soccer Hall of Fame is dedicated to the sport of soccer in the United States by celebrating its history, preserving its legacy, inspiring its youth and honoring its heroes for generations to come.